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The Origin Of Christmas Traditions - By: Johann Erickson,  [Summary]

Each year as Christmas draws near, we put up the tree, string it with lights and hang wreaths on doors and in windows. We write Christmas cards, buy candy cane and eggnog, stock up on Yule logs for the fireplace and hang mistletoe in doorways. We teach our kids to believe in Santa and Rudolph and to dream of reindeer, snow and magical creatures. They often ask for a pair of new skates or a shiny new sled for Christmas. Then, when everything is ready and the freshly baked cookies are safely hidden away, those of us in the northern hemisphere wish for snow and dream of a white Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we hang our stockings and greet carolers at the door with a cup of hot apple cider or hot chocolate. These are all traditions of the Christmas season. Have you ever wondered where these traditions originated? Well, let’s take a look.



Candy Canes:

In 1670, the choirmaster at Cologne College had candy made in the shape of a shepherd’s staff. He gave the candy canes to his young charges to keep them quiet during the long service. These were the very first candy canes.



During the 1820’s, Bob McCormack made candy canes for family members and friends. Because it took so long to shape them, he quit making them. In the early 1850’s, Gregory Keller, Bob’s brother in law, invented a machine to mass produce candy canes and Bob’s Candies Inc., was established. The company became the largest manufacturer of candy canes in the entire world. Then, in the early 20th century red stripes were added and peppermint was the only flavor sold.



Today, candy canes are made by a wide variety of candy makers. They are available in every flavor imaginable. The stripes are no longer only red, but appear in blue, orange, pink and other colors as well. The candy cane has come a long way.



Caroling:

During the 13th century, St. Francis Assisi led songs of praise at Christmas. Ever since, people have sung special songs during the Christmas season, though back then the carols were much different than the ones we sing today.



In more modern times, many carols are based on the event that took place the night that Jesus was born. A wide variety of carols are also based on Christmas traditions. One superstition says that it is bad luck to turn carolers away without offering them a hot drink, a tasty treat or a coin or two.



Christmas Cards:

The first Christmas card was designed by Henry Cole, who was director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in England. It seems he was too busy to write his usual Christmas greetings, so asked a lithographer to duplicate a greeting on heavy stock that could be sent out to all the people on his list.



Christmas cards became popular in 1840, when they were produced by printers. People signed their names and sent the cards through the postal service.



In 1846, Louis Prang, a German printer, was designing and selling Christmas cards in Roxbury, Massachusetts. By 1884, he was selling over five million cards each year.



The tradition of sending Christmas cards is not as popular today as it was back then. The high cost of cards and postage makes sending Christmas cards a costly tradition and many people have given it up.



Christmas Cookies:

For centuries Christmas has been a time when mothers and grandmothers have baked special treats for their families. Today, the cookie tradition continues, though many working mothers now order cookies from a bakery or pick them up at the local supermarket. Kids leave cookies out for Santa to enjoy when he delivers their gifts. Good children do this to thank Santa, while naught children use the cookies as a bribe to get Santa to leave that treasured toy.



Eggnog:

This tradition originated in 17th century Britain, when strong ale called “nog” was popular at Christmas. The ingredients were beer, egg yolks, cinnamon, lemon rind and sugar. The French version of the drink was called “Lait de Poule” and it was made from egg yolks, milk, sugar and spirits. During the 1800’s, people of North America added brandy, rum or sherry to the French version and modern day eggnog was born. Today, homemade eggnog is cooked to remove germs such as salmonella. Eggnog purchased from the grocery store is pasteurized by the manufacturer to kill bacteria. The same eggnog recipe has been used in the Americas for more than 150 years.



Christmas Tree:

The tradition of the Christmas tree originated in Germany. The very first trees were oak and were classed as a symbol of good luck. When new houses were built, an evergreen tree was nailed to the highest beam. This led to the tradition of bringing the evergreen tree into the house at Christmas to be decorated in a festive way. German immigrants brought the Christmas tree tradition with them to North America and it wasn’t long until people of all nationalities had adopted the custom.



Today, Christmas trees can be live, artificial, twig trees and many others that have come out in the last few years. Designer trees are popular, but many families still go into the country to cut their own tree, or to a tree lot to buy one and make it a family event to decorate it with ornaments.



Ice Skates:

The first ice skates were made of bone. Archeologists found a pair at the bottom of a lake in Switzerland that date back to 3000 B.C. The blades were made of animal bone and straps were used to fasten them. Today, children all over the world ask for ice skates for Christmas. This tradition has been passed down through generations.



The largest outdoor ice skating rink is 3.8 acres, but if you want to skate on it, you will have to visit Fujikyu Highland Promenade Park in Japan.



Christmas Lights:

The first person to ever use electric lights on his Christmas tree was Thomas Edison’s employee, Edward Johnson. The first Christmas lights ever produced in a factory were made by Ever Ready in the early 20th century. Few people purchased the lights and for a few years they were all but forgotten. Then, in the early 1920’s, General Electric improved on the invention and Christmas lights became more popular. Today, the majority of people use lights on trees, in windows and on the exterior of their homes.



Before electric lights, many families put candles on their trees. This proved to be very dangerous and many homes died because of the candles. As lights became more popular, the candles were replaced.



Mistletoe:

Mistletoe originated with an ancient Druid ceremony that celebrated winter solstice. Because it is a pagan ritual, many churches do not incorporate it into their Christmas décor.



The pagan ritual encouraged a girl to stand under hanging mistletoe. Then, a boy approached and for each berry he picked from it, he got a kiss. When the berries were gone, no more kisses were forthcoming.



Santa:

Santa Claus made his debut in the 4th Century and was originally known as St. Nicholas., the patron saint of children and seafarers. Legend states that St. Nicholas brought happiness to the poor when he threw gifts through their windows.



Dutch people called St. Nicholas “Sint Nikolass,” which was eventually changed to Sinter Klass. When Dutch immigrants arrived in the early colonies of New York State, he began to be called Santa Claus.



Sled:

Sleds have been used for centuries. Before the invention of the wheel, Neolithic Peoples used them to move heavy objects. Eskimos in pre-Columbian America used dogs to pull sleds and Ancient Egyptians used them to move heavy blocks of stone.



The sled advanced when runners were invented to help them slide over the ground more easily. People in snowy regions began hooking a team to them and using them for personal transportation.



Today, sleds are used mainly as a source of enjoyment for children. Each Christmas, Santa delivers thousands of sleds to children all over the world – and what does he use to get around? Why a sled, of course, which is pulled by a team of reindeer that fly through the sky.



Snow:

Every snowflake is different and is formed by symmetrical crystals, making all sides the same size. Each year, the United States receives about 28 inches of snow. Winter activities include skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, snowboarding and snowshoeing. Native Americans compete in snowsnake tournaments, which is a game that’s been in their culture for hundreds of years. People who live in northern hemisphere regions of the world, dream of snow and wish for a white Christmas. Snow is even brought into our houses during the Christmas season. We spray it on our windows, trees and pine boughs to give a natural winter look.



Stockings:

Legend has it that long ago Saint Nicholas threw three coins down the chimney of three poor sisters. The sisters had each hung a stocking by the hearth to dry. A coin dropped into each stocking and brought the sisters good fortune. Today, we hand stockings in hopes that Santa will fill them with small gifts and treats.



Rudolph

Every child knows Rudolph, Santa’s lead reindeer, but did you know that he was born of an advertising gimmick?



Robert L. May, a writer, was hired by Montomery Ward to write a Christmas story in 1939. The company handed out copies of the story to their customers over the Christmas season. Rudolph was an instant hit and soon became a classic. Gene Autry sang about him. Several movies have been made about him. Each year it seems that new Rudolph toys and souvenirs are available in every store. Children today love Rudolph just as much as their parents and grandparents did. Rudolph is definitely a symbol of Christmas.



Wreath:

Centuries ago people worshipped evergreen holly as a sign of eternal life, because it didn’t die during the winter. Some religions think that the thorns wreath that was placed on Jesus’ head before the crucifixion was made of holly. They say that originally holly berries were white and that Jesus’ blood turned them red.



Others believe that holly represents the sun’s return after the long winter months. Today, we place holly wreaths in our windows and on our doors to add a festive look during the Christmas season.



Yule Log:

It is a tradition that each year’s Yule log be lit by a scrap of the one burned the previous year, which is kept under the bed all year to protect the home from fire and lightning. Yule logs should be of red oak and you should never buy it yourself. Keep Yule logs should be kept burning all of Christmas Eve and into Christmas Day. The tradition of burning a Yule log originated from an ancient sun ritual.

Johann Erickson is the owner of Online Discount Mart and TV Products 4 Less.

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